Flashlight



1938- H. G. GRAUBNER ET AL 2,140,903

FLASHLIGHT Filed July 5, 1935 HER/4A1 .OGRAUBNER ALBERT G-J'AURNEIN INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patrona e, 1938 2,140,908

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFlCE FLASHLIGHT Herman G. Graubner, New York, N. Y., and Albert G. Saurwein, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, a corporation of New York Application July 5, 1935, Serial No. 29,792

I 11 Claims. (Oi. Mil-10.69) The invention pertains to flashlights and more bridge may extend transversely across the casing specifically to the mechanism thereof for con- A and be rigidly secured to the casing or to a dlatrolling the luminous condition of the lamp bulb phragm l6 that is in turn secured to the casing. and the character of the beam of projected light. The bridge l4 may be secured to the diaphragm l6 When a flashlight is provided with a reflector by any suitable conventional fastening such as 5 that concentrates the projected light beam into a rivets I1, and the diaphragm m y be P v small area it is unsatisfactory for near-by use with a tubular extension 18 that is rigidly secured on account of the small area illuminated, and within the casing A, and also with a suitable when the light beam covers a large area it is axial opening 20 adjacent the opening ill in the unsatisfactory for distant use on account of the reflector throug which the p bulb exilends- 19 low intensity of the light beam. In order to pro- The bridge I may be electrically isolated from vide both kinds of illumination in one flashlight a the socket I2 by any suitable means such as a diflfusing screen that may be moved at will into plurality of dielectric washers 22 the path of the light rays passing from the lamp The character oi the projected light beam may i bulb to a concentrating reflector has been probe controlled or changed by a diffusing screen 15 posed. In this construction a sliding member 24 so mounted that it may be interposed at will located on the ouside of the flashlight has been between the lamp bulb C and the reflector B. This employed to move the screen and thus control the screen may be of any suitable translucent matecharacter oi the projected light beam, andasepa; rial such as frosted or whitish 8 frosted :0 rate sliding member has been employed for closing whitish Celluloid, or a whitish resinous material 0 and opening the electric circuit through the lamp of which vinyl resin is preferred. The screen bulb to control its luminous condition. But two ay be o any Suitable Shape that may be interoperating buttons on the outside of the casing posed between the lamp andrefiector but a tubudetract from the appearance of the flashlight, lar or cylindrical shape is preferred, and, al-

25 cause confusion in selecting the one desired, and though the size m y v y. One that w l f y 25 cause delay when it is desirable to operate both pass through the annular space between the lamp at the same time or in quick succession. bulb and the walls of the aligned openings in the Therefore, the more important objects of the ef ector an diaphragm is Preferredinvention are to provide an improved operating The screen may be supported by any suitable no means for the screen and the switch that is less structure such as a support, bracket, or yoke 26 confusing, less complicated, and easier to operate. that encircles the lamp socket a suitable distance These and other objects and novel features will to the rear of the diaphragm and reflector, and be more fully disclosed in the following speciflcathe screen may be provided with a suitable rim tion and the accompanying drawing in which: 28 that extends outwardly from the rear thereof :3 Fig. l is a side view 01 a flashlight embodying between the bracket 26 and a suitable clamp 30 the invention with the central portion broken that may be secured to the bracket by any conaway to show the structure in section; ventional fastening such as a rivet 32. Al

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional though the rim 28 may be disposed at either side view through the means for securing the switch to of the bracket 26, the relative location of the the casing showing how relative movement is parts is facilitated when it is disposed at the rear all eflected; and and the opening in the bracket closely surrounds Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of the body of the screen. Fig. l. The bracket 26 and the diffusing screen it may As shown in the drawing the invention may be I be moved with respect to the lamp bulb a: and. the

4-; embodied in a flashlight having a casing A, a reflector B in any suitable way such by r reflector B, a lamp bulb C, and a switch D. chanicallv connecting the bracket or yoke 25 with The casing A may be tubular in form and the a switch such as D that is movable as a unit reflector B may be mounted in the light projecting with respect to the casing A to which the reflector end in any suitable manner. The apex of the reand lamp bulb are fixed. Such a connection may 51) flector B may be provided with a suitable opening be effected by providing the bracket 26 with an to ill through which the globe of the lamp bulb C actuating plate or strip 34 that extends along extends into operative relation with the reflector. the inside of the casing to a position adjacent The lamp bulb C may be mounted in a suitable the switch to which it may be secured by a suitsocket l2 of conventional construction that is able number of rivets 36 that extend through as rigidly secured to a supporting bridge II. This aligned openings in the strip '34 and the housing It 34 of the switch, and also through suitable slots or elongated openings 4| in the casing A. The casing may also be provided with a suitable opening in the portion covered by the switch through which electrical connection with the lamp bulb may be established. and the movement of the switch as a unit with respect to the casing may be limited by the length of the slots 40 or the strip I4 may be provided with a portion or stop 42 u that engages the end of the opening in the casing underneath the switch.

In this flashlight the casing may form part of the conductor for the electric circuit including the lamp bulb, battery, and switch. In such flashlights a separate conductor is usually employed between the switch and the lamp bulb or lamp socket. This connection may be effected by a conductor 44 that extends from the switch to the lamp socket. The conductor 44 may be secured I to the strip-l4 by a suitable number of partially encircling ears 4, and it may be electrically isolated from this strip by a suitable covering of dielectric material 4! and also by a suitable strip or sheet of dielectric material 5. interposed between the conductor and the strip. The portion of conductor 44 adjacent the switch may extend through a suitable opening I! in strip 34 where it may be exposed to contact with a resilient switch arm 54 electrically connected with the casing and movable into contact with the conductor by depressing or manipulating a suitable operating button 56. The portion of conductor 44 adjacent the switch may be provided with an exposed contact surface I in operative relation with a switch arm 54, and the portion adjacent the lamp socket I! may be provided with an exposed contact surface or portion il in electrical engagement with a suitable resilient conductor 82 rigidly secured to lamp socket II.

a In order to maintain the movable switch D and the diffusing screen 24 in any of their adjusted positions with respect to the casing A, the strip 14 may be provided with a resilient detaining member 64 in frictional engagement with a the inner surface of easing 1i. This detaining member may be of any suitable size or shape and it may be secured to the strip I4 by any suitable or conventional fastening such as a rivet 66.

In this flashlight, in common with others well a known in the art, one pole of a suitable battery .8 is maintained in electrical connection with a portion of the flashlight in conductive relation with the casing A, and the other pole of the battery such as the central pole is maintained in electrical connection with the central terminal of the lamp bulb by a suitably insulated portion of the lamp socket, the other or outer terminal of the lamp bulb being connected with the outer portion or shell of the lamp socket. In the presflent flashlight, the outer shell ill of the lamp socket i2 is connected with the resilient conductor II, and whenthe switch D is in closed position the portion of the circuit from the outer terminal of the lamp bulb to the casing is through as shell 10, resilient conductor 82, movable conductor 44, and switch arm 54.

The luminous condition of the lamp bulb may be controlled by depressing the switch control button 56 thereby closing the circuit through the 19 lamp filament and the energizing battery. Thus by a suitable manipulation of this button the luminous condition of the lamp bulb may be controlled at will. Also, by exerting a forward pressure on this button or on the switch housing, suf- 1 flcient to move the switch along the casing, the

diffusing screen may be moved into the path of the light rays falling upon the-reflector. Thus the luminous condition of the lamp bulb and the character of the projected beam of light may be controlled either independently or simultanel ously. When the diffusing screen is in forward or operating position the light rays are sumciently dispersed to produce a relatively wide beam of substantially uniform intensity, and when the screen is in its rear or inoperative position the reflector concentrates the light into a relatively narrow beam of much greater intensity. Since the character of the light beam may be controlled while the circuit is closed all delay in changing from one operating button to another is u obviated. Also, since but one button is provided, all confusion regarding the selection of the desired button is obviated. Therefore, it ,appears that the objects of the invention are obtained in an efllcient and reliable manner. 90

It is understood, however, that the form and relative location of the parts may be changed. and that similar and equivalent materials and elements may be employed in the place of those described.

We claim:

1. In a flashlight; a casing; a lamp bulb mounted in said casing; a diifusing screen movably mounted in said casing in operative relation with said lamp bulb; a member movably mounted on so said casing; and means rigidly connecting said screen and said member for movement as a unit relatively to said lamp bulb to'control the character of the projected light beam, said member including means continuously controlling the cirg5 cult to said lamp bulb in all positions of said member.

2. In a flashlight; a casing; a reflector mounted in said casing; a lamp bulb mounted in said casing in operative relation with said reflector; a 40 diffusing screen mounted in said casing in operative relation with said lamp bulb; and a switch mounted upon said casing; said switch being bodily movable with respect to said lamp bulb and being relatively fixed with respect to said screen 5 whereby the screen may be shifted by bodily movement of the switch for controlling the character of the projected light beam; said switch including means for controlling the circuit to said lamp bulb in all positions of said switch in its bodily movement.

3. The flashlight claimed in claim 1 in which the last-named means includes anoporating button and a pair of switch contacts movable as a unit with said member.

4. In a flashlight; a casing; a reflector in said casing; a lamp bulb in said casing in operative relation with said reflector; a diflusing screen movably mounted in said casing in operative relation with said lamp bulb; a switch movably 00 mounted upon said casing; means for mechanically connecting said screen with said switch comprising a yoke rigidly secured to said screen and said switch and movable therewith; said means for electrically connecting said lamp bulb 5 with said switch comprising a conductor in operative relation with said switch and movable with said yoke.

5. In a flashlight; a casing; a lamp bulb in said casing; a diffusing screen movably mounted in said casing in operative relation with said lamp bulb; a switch, including a pair of electrical contacts, mounted upon said casing for movement as a unit; conductive means electrically isolated from said casing and operably connecting said i switch and said lamp bulb in all positions or said ment of said switch as a unit moves said diflusing screen with respect to said lamp bulb to control the character of the projected light beam.

6. In a flashlight; a casing; a lamp bulb in said casing; a switch movably mounted upon said casing; a difiusing screen in operative relation with said lamp bulb; a support for said diflusing screen rigidly secured to said switch and movable therewith; means for completing the electric circuit between said switch and said lamp bulb comprising a conductor secured to said support and movable therewith; and a suitable dielectric for isolating said conductor from said support.

7. In a flashlight; a casing; a lamp bulb in said casing; a switch movably mounted upon said casing; a difiusing screen movably-mounted in said casing in operative relation with said bulb;

a support for said screen rigidly secured to said switch; and means for completing the electric circuit between said switch and said lamp bulb comprising a movable conductor rigidly secured tosaid support, and a stationary resilient conductor in conductive relation with said lamp bulb and in operative resilient engagement with said movable conductor.

8. In a flashlight; a casing; a lamp bulb in said casing; a switch mounted upon said casing and movable with respect thereto and with respect to said lamp bulb into a plurality 01 adjusted operating positions; said switch being operable to control the luminous condition of said lamp bulb in any of said positions; a support within said casing rigidly secured to said switch; a diflusing screen rigidly secured to said support in movable relation to said lamp bulb; and means for maintaining said switch in said adjusted positions comprising a resilient member secured to said switch in resilient engagement with said casing I at its opposite end to said member through openings in said casing; resilient means for maintaining said yoke and member in frictional engagemeat with said casing: a resilient conductor connected to said lamp receiving socket; a second conductor attached to said yoke and insulated therefrom; said second conductor adapted to movably engage said first conductor; and a second resilient means attached to said member and adapted to extend through an opening in said casing to engage said second conductor.

10. In a flashlight; a casing; a lamp receiving socket secured in fixed electrically insulated relation to said casing: a reflector secured to said casing and having an opening in alignment with but of larger diameter than said lamp receiving socket; a translucent screen surrounding said lamp receiving socket in alignment with said opening for movement therethrough; a member slidably connected on the outside oi said casing; a yoke secured to said screen and straddling said lamp receiving socket; said yoke being connected at its opposite end to said member through openingsin said casing; resilient means for maintaining said yoke and member in frictional engagementwith said casing; a resilient conductor connected to said lamp receiving socket; a second conductor attached to said yoke and insulated therefrom; said second conductor adapted to movably engage said first conductor; a second resilient means attached to said member and adapted to extend through an opening in said casing to engage saidsecond conductor; and stop means for limiting the movement of said member, ',roke and screen.

11. In a flashlight; a casing having an opening in a side wall thereof; a lamp receiving socket connected in flxed electrically insulated relation to said casing; a resilient conductor electrically connected to said socket; a switch member mounted in movable relationship on the outside of said casing and. covering said opening; a second member slidably mounted on the inside of said casing opposite said switch member and rigidly connected thereto, said second member having a recessed portion extending through said opening to limit movement of said switch member; a conductor mounted in insulating relationship on said second member and slidably engaging said first mentioned conductor; and resilient means fixed at one end to said switch member and extending through an opening therein and the opening in the side wall of the casing, and adapted to engage said second mentioned conductor in any position to which said switch member may be moved.

HERMAN G. GRAUBNER. ALBERT G. SAURWEIN. 

